American University of Nigeria

Here we come to the end of the summer semester. The long awaited day for many students enrolled in classes. This is the most “interesting” summer ever. Even students that are not enrolled in classes were anticipating the end of the summer term. To my colleagues in the alumni dorm, we had more time in boredom within our secluded residential area. This is particularly true for me, except for the few times my next door neighbour, Michael Ameh came around with some “butterflies” to initiate the game of Truth and Dare, and for the third time again, I defeated Ismail Oyejobi in the game of chess last night. Amazing!

However, I would prefer to talk in the shoes of many others. There were a lot of events that make this summer interesting including the uneventful event of the Makeover night where men were dressed in female outfits. I was far taken-aback when I saw the three grown up men painted in make ups and fidgeting like beauty pageants to amaze the audience. Just as the common Yoruba saying goes, “osiun dun n wo sugbon ko se nbi lomo.” It means it is fun to see mad men in display but nobody wants to be one –students were out there to catch their fun in suffice and they laughed to the brim.  They needed it actually.

Whenever we talk about the summer term 2012, we will always recall the European tournament which came towards the end of the term. The final game between Italy and Spain is nostalgic. Just like many others, I had the chance to choose a team to support before the start of the match and I wished I gave that chance up. But if you look at the game keenly, you would understand there is a clear reliance on Xavi and that landed Italy into trouble after all. They failed to go back to their 3-5-2 original formation after the game with Germany. This not only earned them a serious defeat, it accounted for arguably the most interesting clash of the Euros 2012. However, it is worth casting your mind back and reminiscing over Xavi’s moment of magic. The same can be said of the AUN summer league’s final match where the “Ovoxo Boys” tortured the Staff team. It appeared the staff team were at the outskirt of hope when Emeka was not found on the pitch. Emeka has taken the spotlight of football at AUN and he maintained similar feat throughout the summer 2012 qualification matches.

Further, the staff team never imagined they would win the game without Emeka. The Ovoxo boys much like the Shalfalti FC are team of well disciplined and spectacular students who understand the dynamics of football beyond the pitch. They were smart and well set, and their passes were done @ blurring speeds. When the heat became very intense on the staff team, they did everything possible to look for Emeka within the latitude 09°14′N and longitude 012°28′E of Yola. When he was brought in, there was practically little he could do to savage the sinister situation. This brings the clash between the victorious Ovoxo boys and the troubled staff team to fruition in a penalty kick out, and for the second time in history, a student team defeating a staff team. Emeka only needed a more glimpse of glory to change history but he was never given the chance! The big question however is, who is the looser — Emeka or the staff team? The answer is not as clear-cut as it seems, think about it more!

Since I have already given a tip of the unfortunate make-overnight event, it will be hypocritical of me not to talk about the other remarkable events the Students Activities department masterminded.  This summer, the Request and Dedication show (RAD) was launched with an internet radio under the mentorship of the quest team. With this, it is safe to assume that AUN is the first university to launch internet radio in Nigeria, and possibly in West Africa. The every weekend RAD show is amazing and it is cool that you can participate from anywhere in our wireless campus with high speed internet rate. Not just that, you can participate from anywhere in the world.  Even if you don’t want to participate, you can stay touch with beautiful songs. This should be a continued development!

Also worthy of mentioning is the basement party. I posted more pictures of this event along with this blog and I believe the pictures speak for themselves. In my next post, I will talk about the ongoing Alumni Association Election.

There are several more events and happenings that make up the summer term. The sad time came when we had to come together and morn Ibrahim Aliyu Khalil who was said to be involved in a car accident in Kaduna. The last thing I want to do is to morn a family but who dare question God? Moments like this not only bring me sadness, but also a remorseful time with my conscience. It was said, “If you live everyday as if is your last, someday you will most certainly be right because death is a destination we all share!” I am using this medium to wish you peaceful eternal rest, Ibrahim. I do not know you too well but I had met you a couple of time on campus, and if I were to describe you in a word, àcoolheaded.

To my dear students, I wish u happy vacation. I know many of you have been planning this vacation big. What more can we expect after a rigorous summer term? I know next semester will be more socially competitive than ever. While I think things should be done in moderation and with caution, I’m a firm believer of social life. I share the views of K. Abrahams when he said, “It is better for you to enjoy your youth ‘cuz you won’t come back to it again.”

Quick reminder à off the lights and ACs in your room and drop your keys to your Residence Director as you check out. Also if you use car on campus, there is a parking space provision at the maintenance angle. You can also discuss this with your RD.

“Keep smiling because that is the second best thing you can do with your mouth” What is the first? It is not as clear-cut as it seems! Think more about it! And in case you are still confused, you can ask Omorex.

 

I’m out

 

olasunkanmi.ogundare@aun.edu.ng